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Assessing models for de-identification of Electronic Discharge Summary Using Machine Learning tools
No full textM.Sc. (e-Science)Department of Mathematical and Computational SciencesBackground: De-identification is a technique that eliminates identifying
information from Clinical Records in order to protect individual privacy.
This procedure decreases the chance of personal information being collected,
processed, distributed, and published from being used to identify
the person. When Machine Learning techniques were included in
the de-identification process, it substantially improved over the previous
method.
Research Problem: The Electronic Discharge Summary(EDS) has evolved
into a significantly improved technique of providing discharge summaries
though this information contains Protected Health Information
(PHI), which poses a risk to patients’ privacy. This makes the process of
de-identification to be mandatory. There have lately been several Machine
Learning approaches to de-identify data. This study focuses on
applying Machine Learning techniques to figure out which model can
best de-identify a data set.
Methods: The open source data set from Harvard Medical School was
used. This data set contains 899 Electronic Health Records (EHR), 669
for training and 220 for test purpose. The Conditional Random Fields
(CRF), Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Random Forest models
were used, and the performance of each model was assessed.
Findings: In order to assess each model’s performance, evaluation metrics
were used to compare F-measure, Recall and Precision at token level
to determine which Machine Learning model performed best. The Long
Short Term Memory was found to outperform both Conditional Random
Fields and Random Forest with micro average F-measure, Recall
and precision of 99%, and macro average F-measure of 77%, Recall of
73% and Precision of 90%.NR
The adsorption of bidens pilosa dye molecules onto TiO2 nanoparicle surfaces for optimization of light harvesting efficiency in dye sensitized solor cell: an experimental and theory study
No full textM.Sc (Physics)Department of PhysicsThe availability and high demand for electrical energy is a key global concern, as a result, Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to their ease of preparation, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness. The current study describes the green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles as well as their characterization using ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the study used Density Functional Theory to describe the optical characteristics of produced nanoparticles. The UV-Vis results showed that the dye extracted using solvents such as water, methanol, and ethanol had a common absorbance at 665 nm among the solvents used ethanol had the highest absorption. The molecules responsible for a broader range of absorbance are known to be pheophytin and porphyrin, which are found in chlorophyll extracted from the B. pilosa plant. FTIR analysis of the prepared TiO2 revealed the absorbed functional groups of the synthesized B. pilosa extracts and confirmed the formation of TiO2 NPs with a vibrational band at 497 cm 1. The TiO2 NPs were heterogeneous in shape under TEM and SEM but spherical under SEM, indicating the formation of paste during agglomeration. XRD analysis confirmed that the polymorph formed is anatase with the highest peak of (101) surface, which was used to computationally adsorb the dye molecule. Pheophytin and porphyrin characteristics were optimized using DFT. For both experimentally and computationally, the UV-vis absorbance was found to be between 420 nm and 665 nm with a higher light harvesting efficiency. pheophytin and porphyrin exhibited energy gaps of 2.1 eV and 2.8 eV respectively. This study demonstrates that the dye molecule synthesized from B. pilosa is an efficient sensitizer for DSSCs. The adsorption results substantiate the spontaneous electron injection and subsequent efficient regeneration of oxidized dye molecules and the strong binding ability of porphyrin dye molecules to the TiO2 surface. The results of this study will be useful for the development of highly efficient organic dyes for DSSCs.National Research Foundation (NRF
Exploring the development of communication strategies for Indigenous Knowledge-based agricultural produce in Tshidzivhe village, in Thulamela Municipality of Limpopo Province, in South Africa
No full textM.A. (African Studies)1 online resource (xiii, 98 leaves)Department of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Heritage StudiesIndigenous knowledge surrounding agricultural produce is an essential part of the lives
of the rural people. Their livelihood depends on their capacity to produce agricultural
and other produce for consumption and sale, to ensure sustainable livelihoods. In
South Africa, examples of common produce visible in rural areas are - millet, sorghum,
maize, nuts, beans, cowpeas, dried vegetables, sweet potatoes, melons - as well as
other produce which may revolve around herbs obtained from indigenous trees.
Communities relying on indigenous knowledge have always known how to maintain a
sustainable livelihood through crop production and other activities, however,
information about these is communicated through channels that can no longer be
sufficient nor relevant in the modern society. Existing traditional-cultural
communication strategies, mainly word-of-mouth, are largely village-bound, thus,
cannot reach larger markets. This study, therefore, aims to explore the possibility of
the development of alternative communication strategies for marketing indigenous
produce in Tshidzivhe village, using a participatory methodology. Data was generated
using the qualitative research approach and collected through, focus-group
discussions, storytelling and workshops. The key findings of the study are that,
agricultural produce from Tshidzivhe village that naturally grow or are cultivated,
include - maize, finger-millet, beans, indigenous vegetables, such as Tshibavhe
(Momordica charantia) and Black jack (Mushidzhi). The villagers who are also
Indigenous Knowledge Holders (IKHs) attest that produce take time before they are
sold. This, they believe, is due to limited access to modern communication and
marketing technologies, difficulties in accessing the village due to poor road
infrastructure, villagers’ minimal digital literacy and channels, as well as, no access to
the internet. In this environment, the communication strategies recommended entail -
effective use of community radios, local newspapers and bulletin; establishment of
marketing boards; cooperative marketing and appropriate attractive packaging, as well
as, innovative branding. Participants also acknowledged the urgency of sustained
deliberate partnerships and nurturing of the IKS produce ecosystem.NR
Optimisation of Operating Conditions and Field Assessment of Copper Nitrate Impregnated Ceramic Water Filters as Point-Of-Use Water Treatment Device
No full textMESMDepartment of Earth ScienceConsumption of contaminated water is increasingly becoming a leading problem in
developing nations and posing greater threat to human health. Consequently, treating
water at the household level is highly recommended for the protection of public health.
This research investigates microbial water quality challenges in Tswinga village,
focusing on the impact on residents' health, daily life, and socio-economic activities.
The primary research question explores the effectiveness of ceramic water filters,
particularly those impregnated with copper nitrate, in mitigating waterborne diseases
and improving water quality in the region. The study employs a mixed-method
approach, combining fieldwork, photovoice methodology, socio-demographic surveys,
and laboratory analyses. Fieldwork involves participant interviews, digital
photography, and thematic analysis to understand the community's water-related
challenges. Socio-demographic surveys gather information on household
characteristics, water sources, and daily experiences. Water samples from various
sources, in the field, undergo physicochemical and microbial analyses. Ceramic water
filters with varying concentrations of copper nitrate were optimised in the laboratory to
assess their efficacy in reducing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform. The results
from the field and laboratory were compared to evaluate the filters' real-world
performance. Key findings revealed significant water quality challenges, such as
safety concerns, sanitation issues, and diseases attributable to contaminated water.
Photovoice methodology highlighted the community's priorities, emphasising the need
for sustainable access to clean water. Physicochemical analysis demonstrated that
raw water from Tswinga falls within acceptable standards, but microbial analysis
revealed the presence of E. coli and total coliform. After optimisation, ceramic filters
impregnated with 1 g concentration of ionic copper demonstrated promise in reducing
E. coli and total coliform bacteria. The weekly results indicated an average reduction
of 0.64 log for E. coli and 0.16 log for total coliform, showcasing the effectiveness of
the filters, attributed to the antibacterial properties of ionic copper. However,
challenges arise in translating laboratory success to real-world usage, raising
questions about user compliance and proper maintenance. The study sheds light on
the complex water quality challenges faced by Tswinga village. While the
physicochemical parameters meet standards, microbial contamination poses a severe
health risk. Ceramic water filters, particularly those with 1 g of copper nitrate, showed
potential in laboratory studies, but their effectiveness in real-world situations depends
on addressing user behaviour and maintenance issues.NR
Attributes of Ideal Grassroots Community Leaders for Sustainable Rural Development: The Case of Ward Committees in Vhembe District Municipality of South Africa
No full textMRDVInstitute for Rural DevelopmentMost municipalities in South Africa have been struggling to put in place functioning Ward
Committees across the country. It is crucial to have an effective Ward Committee that can
facilitate processes that lead to the improved well-being of the residents of the local
community. The study explored the attributes of ideal grassroots community leaders for
sustainable development, focusing on the case of ward committees in Ha-Mashau area.
The specific objectives were to determine the community-preferred qualities of persons
eligible to serve in ward committees and to determine whether age and gender of
community members influence their perceptions. An exploratory sequential mixed
method design was adopted for this study. Purposive sampling and stratified random
sampling were applied to draw a sample of 57 and 120 participants from the residents
of Ha-Mashau community for Phase 1 and Phase 2 respectively. Focus group discussions
(FGDs) and a Likert-type scale questionnaire were used to collect data. Thematic content
analysis, Descriptive statistics, Man Whitney & Kruskal Wallis tests from (SPSS) were run
for analysis. The findings revealed several crucial attributes of ideal grassroots
community leaders, including strong communication skills, a genuine commitment to
community development, a strong personality, fair educational background, and
accessibility to the community. Age influenced community members' perceptions of the
need (1) to consider women for ward committee membership, (2) for aspiring leaders to
be empathic, and (3) for leaders to show love and respect for the people. Furthermore,
adult community members prefer ward committee members who are “dedicated to
community development work” than their youthful counterparts. These findings contribute
to the existing literature on grassroots leadership and offer practical insights for
policymakers, development practitioners and community members aiming to foster
sustainable development in similar contexts. It is recommended that policymakers and
practitioners consider the importance of the identified attributes and their contribution to
sustainable development when implementing programs aiming to enhance leadership
capacity.
KeywordsNR
Risk assessment of the possible contamination of trace metals in fish samples from Lake Kariba, Zambia
No full textM.Sc. (Chemistry)Department of ChemistryExposure to inorganic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been linked to cause
carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on human health and aquatic species. Trace metals in food
are widely acknowledged as a public health concern yet largely ignored in many African
nations where legislation is not yet fully implemented. Thus, the study aimed to extract and
determine the toxic levels of inorganic EDCs of interest at certain doses and possible health
risk associated with metal ions in fish sold in the open markets from Siavonga, Lake Kariba
(Zambia). Sampling was done for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. Two fish species,
which constitute Lake Kariba, were sampled; the bream (Oreochromis mortimeri) and Kapenta
(Limnothrissa miodon): Firstly, twenty-eight fresh Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri),
five sun-dried Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri) and five batches of sun-dried Kapenta
(Limnothrissa miodon) were sampled from Lake Kariba open market. Secondly, six fresh
Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri), five sun-dried Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri)
and five batches of sun-dried Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon), were purchased in an open
market in Siavonga. Fish muscle tissues were excised to analyze trace metal ions before being
digested using a microwave digestion system and analyzed using ICP-OES and MS. Eleven
trace elements: Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu),
Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Mercury (Hg), Selenium (Se) and Zinc (Zn) were
analyzed in fish muscle tissues (epaxial and hypaxial myomers). The results showed that the
mean metal concentration for the first sampling was not significantly higher ( > 0.05) than
the mean concentration for the second fish sampling, except for sun-dried Kapenta.
The first sampling collected in November (2021) revealed that the fish collected on a Zambian
open market contained higher levels of Cr, Mn and Fe ranging from 6.50±3.30 to 101.40±22.69
mg kg-1 in sun-dried bream. At the same time, sun-dried Kapenta contained high levels of Cr,
Mn, Fe, As and Al ranging from 0.49±0.05 to 160.72±132.60 mg kg-1. In contrast, fresh bream
contained high levels of Cr, As and Mn ranging from 13.99±7.96 and 22.30±12.20 mg kg-1.
Compared to the second sampling around August (2022) they revealed high levels of Cr, Mn,
As, Se and Fe ranging from 0.15±0.07 to 110.6±63.82 mg kg-1 in Sun-dried bream. In contrast,
sun-dried Kapenta contained high levels of Cr, Mn, As, Se, Fe and Zn levels ranging from
0.78±0.03 to 187.8±58.59 mg kg-1. In comparison, fresh bream contained high Cr, Mn, As, Se
and Fe ranging from 0.26±0.16 to 163.00±68.41 mg kg-1.
The obtained results showed that the concentrations of metals exceeded the recommended
maximum permissible limits proposed by the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization and
World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on food for fish consumption.
However, fish were safe from adverse health effects due to Hg not being detected in fish
sampled. The pollution index was assessed to determine the extent of pollution. The estimated
daily intake (EDI) for all metals were higher than the provisional tolerable daily intakes (PTDI)
recommended by FDA for both adults and children. Target hazard quotients (THQ) and hazard
indices (HI) was higher than 1, indicating health risks from a non-carcinogenic lifetime of fish
consumption. The lifetime average daily dose (LADD) was used to estimate the incremental
lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). All metals were lower than 1×10 4 except for fresh bream 2021
for both children and adults, indicating a carcinogenic risk of 1 in 10,000 from consumption of
Kapenta and Kariba bream from Lake Kariba in a lifetime. This raises concern over an adverse
health effect on the consumption of fish consisting of excess trace metals. Long-term exposure
to trace metals through fish consumption poses potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic
health risks to the residents and suggests possible adverse health effects.National Research Foundation (NRF) and Mining Qualification Authority (MQA
An intervention programme to promote healthy sexual practices among youth in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
No full textPhDPHDepartment of Public HealthIn South Africa, the high rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Human Immunodeficiency
Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and unplanned pregnancies are a serious
public health concern among current school youth. Health, the well-being and the quality of
youth are a serious concern for educational practitioners, health promoters, parents, as well
as adolescents themselves. The absence of accurate information about the promotion of sexual
health practices forces youth to patronise fake doctors. This reveals that there is a lack of
knowledge of youth about healthy living skills, risky behaviours of sexual relations and the
inability to reject unstable relationships that they do not want.
This study develops an intervention programme to promote healthy sexual practices among
the youth in Limpopo Province. The convergent parallel mixed method was employed where
exploratory-descriptive qualitative approaches were concurrently run with the quantitative
approach, employing a cross-sectional descriptive design. A non-probability, purposive
sampling was employed to select eligible study participants who include learners registered
for the 2023 academic year, Life orientation teachers and School Governing Body members.
In-depth focus group discussions interviews were conducted with 26 learners, 25 life
orientation teachers and 16 School Governing Body members. Qualitative data was analysed
thematically. Trustworthiness was ensured through Credibility, Confirmability, Transferability
and Dependability. For the quantitative approach, a self-administered questionnaire was used
to collect data where a simple random sampling was used to select learners in each grade to
constitute a sample size of 531 participants. Reliability and validity of the instrument were
ensured through the extensive review of literature from similar studies conducted locally and
internationally. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 28.0. Ethical principles were adhered throughout the study. The findings were conceptualised
using a health promotion model.
The results were integrated, and the interpretation discussed. Six higher-order themes
emerged from the qualitative data analysis. The merged themes from the qualitative research
were confirmed by the findings from the statistical data analysis, thereby integrating both
qualitative and quantitative data. The findings were presented to officials of the Department of
Basic Education in Vhembe district and other stakeholders, Heads of schools, Heads of
department, SGB members, social workers, and circuit managers; their inputs further
confirmed and supports the findings. The findings informed the development of an intervention
programme.
The intervention comprises the three components personal factors,
community/school/house/church and healthy system paradigms, and health talk focusing on
promoting healthy sexual practices. The developed intervention programme was validated by
stakeholders and results were analysed through simple descriptive statistics where data was
summarised using frequency distributions and tables.
The results revealed that the programme is adaptable and can be practiced. The programme
can reduce the challenges of unhealthy sexual practices with which schools are faced. This
programme also provides the opportunity to close the gap between parents, and teachers,
because parents do not attend school meetings when they are requested. This programme
has addressed a variety of ways that can bring parents and teachers on board, to work
together. Recommendations were made and topics for future research were also addressed.NR
International Financial Reporting Standards for Small, Medium and Enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) and the quality of financial reporting: Some evidence from the Limpopo Province
No full textM.Com (Accounting)Department of AccountancySmall and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the South African economy. South Africa's Companies Act (71 of 2008) requires companies to follow either full International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or IFRS for SMEs. IFRS for SMEs was introduced by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in 2009 as an alternative framework for eligible entities, offering an option instead of the complete set of IFRSs. Despite the introduction of IFRS for SMEs, there has been no comprehensive examination of its impact on the financial reporting quality (FRQ) of SMEs in South Africa. This study aimed to provide in-depth insights into the quality of financial reporting by SMEs in the Limpopo Province since the adoption of IFRS for SMEs in South Africa.
The study sampled twenty accounting firms, selecting five from each municipality to handle Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for five SMEs each, resulting in a total of 100 SMEs. Since there is no universally agreed-upon metric for assessing FRQ, the study used three previously employed measures and an aggregate measure. This approach served two purposes: firstly, to account for all facets of FRQ as a single proxy might fall short, and secondly, to enhance the generalisability of our findings.
Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression analysis was employed to investigate the period post-IFRS for SMEs adoption. This investigation spanned two periods: the initial five years (2010-2014) and the last five years (2015-2019), with the objective of assessing whether FRQ improved over time. Several models were examined using linear regression to analyse the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The analysis was conducted using STATA 15 software. The study’s findings offer evidence that precise accrual recording and the adoption of IFRS for SMEs have positively impacted the financial reporting quality of SMEs, leading to increased earnings levels and improved accounting conservatism. Furthermore, the findings accentuate the importance of adhering to accrual accounting principles and embracing standardised reporting practices for SMEs, as these contribute to the overall credibility and utility of financial information for stakeholders. This study offers valuable insights to accounting standard-setting bodies, professional associations, SME accountants,
owners, investors, and academics, enhancing their understanding of IFRS for SMEs’ impact on SME financial reporting quality.National Research Foundation (NRF
Metagenomic analysis of the bacterial resistome of wastewater treatmement plants in Limpopo Province
No full textMSc (Microbiology)Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyBackground: Antibiotic resistance remains a global health concern due to high rates of
inappropriate use, misuse, and abuse of antibiotics. Antibiotic overexploitation in aquaculture,
healthcare, and food animal production has resulted in their abundance in the environment,
leading to rapid antibiotic resistance dissemination. Following the consumption of antibiotics,
a high proportion of unused and unmetabolised antibiotics get excreted and discharged into
Waste Water Treatment Plant influents.
Objective: The study's main aim was to determine the resistome of wastewater treatment plants
in Limpopo Province using metagenomics.
Methods and Materials: A total of 40 duplicate samples were collected once-off from 10
wastewater treatment plants in the Vhembe and Mopani region of the Limpopo province,
consisting of 20 influent and 20 effluent samples. Each sample was filtered to remove all debris
and eukaryotic cells. The Zymo DNA miniprep kit was used to extract the total genomic DNA
from the membranes used to filter the samples and then sent for high-throughput shotgun
metagenomic sequencing. Raw sequences were analysed using open-source bioinformatic
pipelines to determine the resistome elements at each sampling site.
Results:
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing detected 4801 ARGs for influent and treated effluent
wastewater samples. Of the total ARGs detected, 2853 (59.43%) were in influent samples, with
treatment plant number 7 having a high count of 356 (7,42%) and treatment plant number 8
having a low count of 209 (4,35%). From the effluent samples, 1948 (40.57%) ARGs were
detected, with treatment plant number 8 having the highest count of 308 (6,42%) and treatment
plant number 10 having the smallest count of 120 (2,50%). Thirty-three different ARGs were
shared by influents in all treatment plants, and only two were found in all treated effluents.
Furthermore, there were 606 unique ARGs from all samples. The aminoglycosides antibiotics
were the main antibiotics to which most resistance was observed (n = 521; 10.85%), with
treatment plant number 4 having the greatest frequency of these genes (n = 41; 0,85%). On the
mechanism of resistance, antibiotic inactivation was the most common mechanism (n = 1979
genes; 41,22%), followed by antibiotic efflux (n = 1323 genes; 27,56%).
Conclusion:
The findings of this study suggest that wastewater treatment plants in Limpopo Province have
a substantial presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite the treatment processes,
many ARGs persist in the treated effluent, indicating a potential environmental concern.
Additionally, the prevalent resistance mechanism of antibiotic inactivation highlights a specific
challenge that may need targeted interventions to enhance the removal of antibiotic resistance
genes from wastewater effluents.NR
Enhancing teacher accountability at school level in the Hlanganani South Circuit at Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province
No full textMEDEMDepartment of Educational StudiesTeacher professionalism and accountability are inseparable. Accountability encourages teachers to act professionally in classroom settings. However, teachers spend more time on their issues and numerous unethical acts arise in schools worldwide when teachers are not held accountable. The study aimed to investigate how accountability could be enhanced at school level in the Hlanganani South Circuit. The study was informed by a positivist paradigm imbued within the accountability theory which asset for the individual to take account of their actions. The quantitative research design was employed. The population of the study comprised of all educators in the Hlanganani South Circuit. Simple random sampling was employed to extract a sample of 50 participants. Data was collected using questionnaires which were analysed through SPSS version 28 by means of frequency tables and percentages. The study found that most educators believe that the school principal should oversee accountability in school. However, studies revealed that accountability at school level is about all employees taking ownership of their behavior, decision and performance. The organisational structure of the school influences the teachers’ accountability level within the school. As such, the study recommends that there should be mutual trust between the SMT and educators. Although annual teacher licensing can improve teacher accountability at the school level, regular supervision, staff motivation, and effective communication enhance job satisfaction and create in employees a high sense of belongingness and loyalty to the organisation. Performance-related pay and career development play a vital role in enhancing teacher accountability at school level.NR